Tiverton Town hit Rovers with three slick first half goals, but looked a different outfit in the second period.

The visitors went ahead after seven minutes through Jamie Short after Paulton failed to clear. Three minutes later, a misplaced ball was seized on by striker, Owen Howe, who slipped the ball past Rovers’ keeper, Ed Baldy, to make it 2–0.

Rovers tried to get back into the match as Conor O’Sullivan found Elliot Gibbons, only to shoot wide. Levi Landricombe shot over the bar, then on 20 minutes, he made it 3–0, racing on to a through ball from Rob Norrish to turn the ball home.

Rovers tried several long-range efforts, but to no avail. However, they pulled a goal back on the restart, when Jordan Rickets hit a superb free kick from 25 yards, giving Tivvy keeper, Joe Perry, no chance.

Levi Landricombe twice shot wide and Paulton brought on Kailan Gould, whose bustling presence started a period with his side on top. On 54 minutes, Baldy played out the ball straight to Howe to drive low into the net for 4–1.

Rovers piled on the pressure as Will Hailston brought a save from Perry. Ricketts, then O’Sullivan, drove over.

Gould pulled a goal back on seventy minutes taking a ball from Ryan Shaw, turning Michael Landricombe and superbly shooting past Perry. Four minutes later, it was 5–2 as a long cross field ball from Norrish found Jamie Price to turn the ball home. Ibs Diallo twice shot narrowly wide then Hailston and Ricketts fired wide.

Star Man of the Match: Levi Landicombe (Tiverton Town).

Tony Walsh